95: Schemes and Smirks.

GIOVANNI.

As soon as I was able to grasp the past that Kiki was talking about, I felt so guilty and sad as it all came rushing back. I did something so bad and weak back then and even though I knew that I had no choice and had felt threatened, it still didn’t stop the guilt that comes to me whenever I remember that incident.

Whenever I saw her being bullied and laughed at back then, I always tried to help and do something but the kids never took me serious, nobody ever did anyways. Even the poisoning issue had never been her either, it was no one else but my brother who had put a chemical he found in the camp store in my food claiming that it was a prank.

That’s was actually the last straw for me because he had endangered my life just to prove a stupid point and I had had enough of his stupidity to let that one just slide that way but before I could get better and go let the authorities know that it was all my elder brother’s doing, I was told that Kiki had been expelled from the camp whichh meant that she was never to come there for any reason even in years to come.

I was sad and devastated and I got off the bed, running to try and stop whether it was that had happened, but before I could get to the camp gate, Kiki was getting into a beat up car and was immediately driven away, I could see her looking back through the back of the car and all I could mutter as tears fell down my eyes was, “I’m sorry.”

Looking at how angry she was at the memory, I knew that it struck a big nerve in her and she still held that grudge, it was understandable, especially now that she had just discovered that she had done the same thing that she did back then that still got her expelled, standing up for me yet getting betrayed for simply doing good. Nobody deserves that, no child deserves to learn about betrayal at such young age.

And I did that to her. I was the friend who had betrayed a friend who did nothing but try to protect me against my own brother.

It might have been such a long time ago but it doesn’t change the fact that I did it back then and she has the right to think I’m liable to do a thing like that again.

But I have to prove to her that I won’t let my family have that kind of hold on me anymore, or at least, I’ll try to stop it henceforth, I love Kiki and I’m not ready to let her go, not now, not ever.

After I had tried to apologize and explain my side of the story and she wasn’t just ready to hear it yet, I knew I had to take another route and get her to stay till I can get the chance to apologize to her properly and when I got that idea, I had to put my serious mask on as I spoke, “You can’t just leave.”

“What!” She snapped at me, acting like she hadn’t heard me the first time.

“You can’t just leave.” I repeated to her with an even more stern face.

“What do you mean by I can’t just leave?” She asked, clearly irritated by my supposed guts.

I walked towards my chair and as I took my seat, I spoke with a smirk, “Well, miss Ajayi, if you actually went through the contract you signed very well, you’ll know that you can’t just decide to resign like this.”

“What? Do I need to get a lawyer, or something before I can resign now?” She questioned, now looking confused.

“Oh, well, according to the contract you signed, you need to make sure that there’s a replacement for the job before you can leave. Until there’s a replacement for you, you can’t leave yet.” I explained in a nonchalant manner as I swiveled around in my chair.

“Is this some sort of joke? Why would I have to wait for a replacement to be available before I can leave the job?” Kiki asked further.

“Well, that’s how it works in this kind of environment, Kiki. It is called professional rules and every company has its own, that’s one for this company. You’re lucky it’s that here, for some, you can’t dare resign until you’ve worked for a stipulated amount of time. It’s not rocket science.” I said.

The door to my office opened and Matteo came walking in with some files in his hands, “Well, it shouldn’t be a big issue, Miss Kiki Ajayi, so don’t you worry. It won’t even take so much time at all, all I have to do I put a vacancy put on line and applications will come flying in within minutes, the only thing that could take time is the interviews and making sure we get someone suitable especially to Giovanni’s taste. So you just need to stick around for a while.” Matteo said as I glared daggers at his skull wishing I could shoot an arrow at it.

Did I ask him to speak? Did I ask for his contributions? Why did he have to ruin my perfectly laid plan? I swear, that guy derives so much joy in simply going against me.

But I composed myself and spoke, “Well, You heard him, Miss Ajayi. You just have to stay till then, it’s not that much time anyways so you need to go back to work for now, as soon as there’s a replacements for you, you can leave.”

Kiki looked skeptical at first before she decided to just let whatever she really wanted to say go instead. She stormed out of my office dramatically and literally banged the door so loudly behind her.

As soon as she was gone, I directed my speech at Matteo, “what was that for?” I questioned.

“What was what for? The lady clearly wants to leave and you’re looking for excuses to make her stay, she has the right to leave.” He said, getting on my very last nerves.

“You say that like I said she doesn’t have the right to, everything I said was the truth and she has to wait till we get a replacement, how on earth is that an excuse?"

“You know that getting a replacement is not something that will take a day if we want, its not even something that’ll take so much hours too. We have people willing to take up this job in minutes.” Matteo replied.

I rolled my eyes at him, “I don’t care, Matteo. I’m not going to just let anybody work with me and by the way, I don’t want you to put any vacancy out for any reason at all either. Just act like it’s out and whenever she asks, tell her that you haven’t found a replacement yet, simple.” I said to him with a shrug.

“Oh, I know that, Giovanni. I’m not planning on putting any vacancy out either, I get your scope and plan, it’s just fun to act like I don’t. Now, sign those papers before I get back, you smartass man who wouldn’t take no for an answer.” Matteo said as he went out of my office.

I found myself chuckling at him as I was once again reminded of why this man was my bestfriend in the first place.